Magic Breakfast Leads Sector-Wide Call for Inclusive School Breakfast Provision in New Legislation

Leading children’s charity Magic Breakfast has written to Members of the House of Lords, spearheading a powerful coalition of children’s and disability rights organisations, calling for critical amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to ensure universal and equitable access to school breakfast provision — especially for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

While the Bill delivers on the Labour Government’s manifesto promise to offer universal breakfast clubs for all primary-aged pupils in England — a welcome move in tackling child hunger — sector leaders warn that without targeted amendments, thousands of children with SEND risk being left behind.

We fully support the Government’s ambition to create inclusive schools and remove hunger from the classroom,” said Dr Lindsey MacDonald, Chief Executive of Magic Breakfast. “However, unless we design this policy to work for all children — including those with SEND — we’re in danger of building a system that excludes the very pupils who need it most.”

In a joint letter signed by more than ten prominent organisations, including the British Dyslexia Association, Family Fund, Special Needs Jungle, and The Down’s Syndrome Association, the coalition is urging peers to back amendments that will:

• Extend breakfast provision to secondary-aged pupils in special schools, many of which operate as all-through settings.

• Guarantee access to vital support services such as transport and one-to-one assistance, without which children with SEND may be unable to attend breakfast clubs.

• Promote mixed models of breakfast provision, such as in-classroom or nurture group breakfasts, which are often more inclusive and effective for pupils with complex needs.

Evidence shows that only 16% of special schools working with Magic Breakfast run traditional breakfast clubs alone — with most combining these with more flexible models tailored to children’s individual needs.

“Access to inclusive breakfast clubs is essential for pupils with Down’s syndrome,” said Carol Boys, Chief Executive of The Down’s Syndrome Association. “These settings provide not only a nutritious start to the day, but also important opportunities for social interaction and skill development. We therefore fully support this call on members of the House of Lords to make amendments to the Bill, to ensure that everyone has access to breakfast clubs, with appropriate support as required.”

The letter is urging peers to support Amendments 183D, 186, 186A, and 187 during Committee Stage of the Bill. These changes would not alter the core aims of the legislation but would ensure the right infrastructure and flexibility is in place to benefit every child.

“We are proud to stand alongside other leading charities in calling for a more inclusive and equitable breakfast policy,” added Dr MacDonald. “Every child deserves the best possible start to their school day — no exceptions.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact: stephen.hart@magicbreakfast.com

www.magicbreakfast.com

Who has signed the letter?

Family Fund, Voluntary Organisations Disability Group, National Network of Parent Carer Forums C.I.C, Action Cerebral Palsy, Kids, Special Needs Jungle, Sense, The Down’s Syndrome Association, British Dyslexia Association, Family Fund, Magic Breakfast.

About Magic Breakfast

Magic Breakfast is a registered charity that exists to make sure no child or young person is too hungry to learn. We provide nutritious breakfasts and expert support to primary, secondary, ASN/SEND schools and pupil referral units in disadvantaged areas of England and Scotland. Providing a daily school breakfast ensures that every child and young person feels included, equal and set up for success. Magic Breakfast works to be part of the solution to end child morning hunger for good through our campaigning, research and advocacy work with politicians and decision-makers.

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